Jenna Elfman

An ebullient performer who earned fame with her role as a buoyant free-spirit on the popular sitcom "Dharma & Greg" (ABC, 1997-2002), actress Jenna Elfman broke through as a stand out cast member...
Read More...

Moviegoers celebrated "Mummy"'s Day this weekend with a record setting $70 million opening.
Universal's PG-13 rated adventure sequel The Mummy Returns kicked off Hollywood's pre-summer season with a staggering ESTIMATED $70.11 million at 3,104 theaters ($20,615 per theater). Mummy accounted for about 65% of the weekend's total key films gross of $107.5 million.
Mummy is well on its way to what looks like it could be a $200 million gross in domestic theaters. That would be about $45 million more than the first Mummy did domestically in 1999.
Mummy goes into the record books as the biggest three day non-holiday opening ever, beating the record set by 20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm's Star Wars: Episode One -- The Phantom Menace with $64.81 million the weekend of May 21-23, 1999, at 2,970 theaters ($21,822 per theater). Having opened on a Wednesday, Phantom Menace's cume for five days was $105.7 million.
The 1999 original The Mummy opened to $43.4 million the weekend of May 7-9 at 3,209 theaters ($13,515 per theater). In its second weekend it fell 43% to $24.86 million at 3,226 theaters ($7,705 per theater). Its cume after 10 days was $80.6 million. Mummy went on to do $155.2 million domestically and $258.1 million internationally for a worldwide total of $413.3 million. In its third weekend, Mummy was knocked down to second place by the blockbuster arrival of Phantom Menace.
Mummy Returns's average per theater was the highest for any film playing in wide or limited release this weekend.
Written and directed by Stephen Sommers, Mummy stars Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. It also features an appearance by wrestling star The Rock. The Alphaville Production was produced by James Jacks and Sean Daniel and executive produced by Bob Ducsay and Don Zepfel.
"Except for Lost World, which was a holiday weekend, it's the greatest opening ever," Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco said Sunday morning. Universal's The Lost World: Jurassic Park opened in 1997 to $74.7 million for the three day weekend portion of the four day Memorial Day holiday (May 23-26) weekend.
"What we did was we went into the history of Universal and we created a franchise that we truly believed could dominate the marketplace," Rocco explained. "We took a piece of Universal's history and created an unbelievable franchise. With appropriate sequel management, we brought back the cast, we brought back the director, we managed the cost and we had a great story. That's what made this so unique.
"Our exit polls are 90% in the Top Two Boxes (excellent and very good) and a 70% Definite Recommend. That's huge."
The film's PG-13 rating, she added, "broadened the base. Because of the fact that it's a bit fantasy, parents and kids alike can enjoy it. There's no blood. It's part of comic book fantasy. This is a picture that's an absolute thrill ride that will certainly have tons of repeat business."
Universal's 1932 classic The Mummy, directed by Karl Freund and starring Boris Karloff, was a horror film. So were the studio's continuation of the Mummy story in the 1940s in such films as The Mummy's Hand, The Mummy's Tomb, The Mummy's Ghost and The Mummy's Curse.
"They were horror films," Rocco noted. "That's what's so unique about how we built the franchise. We took a piece of the history and created this whole new thing."
Assessing the film's impact in the marketplace, Rocco observed, "We kicked off summer early. We reinvigorated the marketplace to record breaking numbers (of about $107.5 million for key films). Last year was a record (for this weekend) of $82.2 million. We also hold the biggest Friday opening with $23.4 million and the biggest Saturday opening with $26.8 million." Those are the biggest ever for any Friday or Saturday, she said, adding that "Lost World did $21.9 million on Friday."
Warner Bros. and Franchise Pictures' PG-13 rated action drama Driven fell one notch in its second week to a slower ESTIMATED $6.06 million (-50%) at 2,905 theaters (theater count unchanged; $2,084 per theater). Its cume is approximately $21.6 million.
Directed by Renny Harlin, Driven stars Sylvester Stallone. It was produced by Elie Samaha, Stallone and Harlin and written by Stallone.
Bridget Jones's Diary, the R rated romantic comedy co-financed by Miramax Films, Universal Pictures and StudioCanal and produced by Britain's Working Title, slid one peg to third place in its fourth week with a still attractive ESTIMATED $6.0 million (-20%) at 2,547 theaters (+15 theaters; $2,355 per theater). Its cume is approximately $44.7 million, heading for $55-60 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Sharon Maguire, Bridget stars Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant.
Having only cost about $25 million to produce, Bridget will be profitable for its financing partners.
Dimension's PG rated family appeal thriller Spy Kids fell one rung to fourth place in its sixth week with a less playful ESTIMATED $4.0 million (-31%) at 2,815 theaters (-290 theaters; $1,420 per theater). Its cume is approximately $98.5 million, heading for $105-110 million in domestic theaters.
"It should hit $100 million by next weekend," Miramax senior vice president, marketing David Kaminow said Sunday morning.
With a production cost of only $35 million, Spy Kidswill be very profitable for Dimension.
Written and directed by Robert Rodriguez, Spy Kids stars Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino.
Paramount Pictures' R rated suspense thriller Along Came A Spider dropped one slot to fifth place in its fifth week with a quieter ESTIMATED $3.8 million (-32%) at 2,573 theaters (theater count unchanged; $1,477 per theater). Its cume is approximately $60.0 million, heading for $65-70 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Lee Tamahori, Spider stars Morgan Freeman and Monica Potter.
"It's where we had it pretty much targeted," Paramount distribution president Wayne Lewellen said Sunday morning.
"I had it in the low $60 millions originally. I think it has a shot to get into the higher $60 millions (like) $67 or $68 million. If it continues to hang on at this level, it could get even closer to $70 million."
Spider is the prequel to the 1997 hit Kiss the Girls, which did $60.5 million in domestic theatrical release.
Paramount's PG rated sequel Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles skidded one rung to sixth place in its third week with a dull ESTIMATED $3.2 million (-31%) at 2,141 theaters (+17 theaters; $1,495 per theater). Its cume is approximately $18.0 million.
Directed by Simon Wincer, Crocodile stars Paul Hogan.
New Line Cinema's R rated drama Blow fell one step to seventh place in its fifth week with a quiet ESTIMATED $2.4 million (-28%) at 1,558 theaters (-155 theaters; $1,540 per theater). Its cume is approximately $44.2 million, heading for $50 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Ted Demme, Blow stars Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz.
Columbia Pictures PG-13 rated youth appeal comedy Joe Dirt, which was ninth last week, tied for eighth place in its fourth week with a slow ESTIMATED $1.5 million (-45%) at 1,783 theaters (-701 theaters; $841 per theater). Its cume is approximately $24.7 million.
Directed by Dennis Gordon, Joe stars David Spade.
Sony's Screen Gems division's R rated vampire tale The Forsaken, which was eighth last week, tied for eight place in its second week with a calm ESTIMATED $1.5 million (-50%) at 1,514 theaters (theater count unchanged; $991 per theater). Its cume is approximately $5.2 million.
Written and directed by J.S. Cardone, Forsaken stars Kerr Smith and Brendan Fehr.
There was a close race for tenth place based on studio ESTIMATES Sunday morning.
USA Films' R rated comedy drama One Night at McCool's, which was 11th last week, in its second week did a slow ESTIMATED $1.33 million (-47%) at 1,814 theaters (-4 theaters; $734 per theater). Its cume is approximately $4.7 million.
Directed by Harald Swart, McCool's stars Liv Tyler, Matt Dillon, John Goodman, Paul Reiser and Michael Douglas.
New Line Cinema's R rated comedy drama Town &amp; Country, which was seventh last week, in its second week did a depressing ESTIMATED $1.3 million (-58%) at 2,222 theaters (theater count unchanged; $576 per theater). Its cume is approximately $5.2 million.
Directed by Peter Chelsom, Town stars Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Andie MacDowell, Garry Shandling, Jenna Elfman, Nastassja Kinski and Goldie Hawn.
OTHER OPENINGS
This weekend also saw the arrival of Universal's Pavilion of Women, arriving quietly to an ESTIMATED $0.016 million at 7 theaters ($2,312 per theater).
Directed by Yim Ho, Women stars Willem Dafoe and Luo Yan.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
Columbia held 766 national sneak previews Saturday night of its PG-13 rated pre-summer youth appeal adventure A Knight's Tale.
The studio said Sunday morning that the sneaks were 75% full and generated very encouraging exit polls. Those on hand scored the film 85% in the Top Two Boxes (excellent and very good) with an 80% Definite Recommend. Columbia said the audience was divided evenly between males and females and those under and over the age of 25.
Tale opens May 11 at 2,800-plus theaters.
Written and directed by Brian Helgeland, Tale stars Heath Ledger.
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front, this weekend saw Newmarket's R rated film noir thriller Memento widen in its eighth week, still holding well with an ESTIMATED $1.29 million (+1%) at 410 theaters (+86 theaters; $3,140 per theater). Its cume is approximately $8.4 million.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, it stars Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano.
Columbia went wider with its R rated thriller The Tailor of Panama, continuing to hold well in its sixth week with an ESTIMATED $1.0 million (+7%) at 436 theaters (+77 theaters; $2,249 per theater). Its cume is approximately $9.4 million.
Directed by John Boorman, Tailor stars Pierce Brosnan and Geoffrey Rush.
Lions Gate Films' R rated drama Amores Perros went wider in its sixth week with a quiet ESTIMATED $0.3 million (-41%) at 184 theaters (+11 theaters; $1,610 per theater). Its cume is approximately $3.4 million.
Directed and produced by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Perros stars Emilio Echevarria and Gael Garcia Bernal.
Warner Bros.' PG-13 rated comedy The Dish added theaters in its eighth week, continuing to hold well with an ESTIMATED $0.16 million (+5%) at 82 theaters (+22 theaters; $1,951 per theater). Its cume is approximately $1.3 million.
Directed by Rob Stich, The Dish stars Sam Neill and Kevin Harrington.
Miramax's R rated French thriller With a Friend Like Harry... continued to widen in its third week with a still encouraging ESTIMATED $0.16 million at 25 theaters (+13 theaters; $6,400 per theater). Its North American cume is approximately $0.6 million.
Harry is being released under Miramax's French film banner Miramax Zoe.
Directed by Dominik Moll, it stars Laurent Lucas, Sergi Lopez, Mathilde Seigner and Sophie Guillemin.
Artisan Entertainment's controversial unrated The Center of the World added theaters in its third week with an okay ESTIMATED $0.12 million at 32 theaters (+24 theaters; $3,885 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.3 million.
Directed by Wayne Wang, it stars Molly Parker and Peter Sarsgaard.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 -- took in approximately $107.46 million, up about 30.7% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $82.22 million.
This weekend's key film gross was up about 71.67% from last weekend this year when key films did $62.60 million.
Last year, DreamWorks' opening week of Gladiator was first with $34.82 million at 2,938 theaters ($11,851 per theater); and Universal's third week of U-571 was second with $7.77 million at 2,701 theaters ($2,875 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $42.6 million. This year, the top two films grossed an ESTIMATED $76.2 million.

Garry Shandling hosts the 52nd Annual Emmy Awards live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC. The big battle this year is between the outstanding HBO drama “The Sopranos” and the outstanding NBC drama “The West Wing.” Each show pulled down 18 nominations apiece, including all the big ones for lead and supporting actors and best drama. Another Emmy-related show to watch for (or avoid like the plague, if you prefer): Before Michael J. Fox, Jennifer Aniston, Chris Rock, Jenna Elfman and all the other nominees and presenters can get into the auditorium, they must pass by Joan and Melissa Rivers on the red carpet. The Rivers women, in what has quickly grown into one of basic cable’s most stomach-turning award show traditions, will stand by the entrance and pass judgment on these people based on what they are wearing like two angry cheerleaders discussing lunch line fashion in their high school cafeteria. The Emmy Awards Pre-Show is on E!, live for two hours starting at 6 p.m. EDT if you are interested.
They say that “death sells,” right? Well, leave it to PBS to find a way to take something perfectly marketable and cool, like death, and screw it up by making it all intellectual and meaningful and stuff. One of televisions best and most respected journalists, Bill Moyers, who has taken PBS viewers on similar multi-episode expeditions through poetry, religion and the “Power of Myth” in the past, turns his insightful eye toward the Big “D” in “On Our Own Terms: Moyers on Death” (in four parts, Sunday through Wednesday at 9 p.m. EDT on PBS -- local times may vary). Moyers will take his provocative, conversational approach into the lives of a few who, for various reasons, are running out of time to explore what death means to us today, how we approach it, and what we can and can’t do about it.
After three years on ABC, “The Hughleys” starts its fourth season, now on UPN on Mondays as the 9 p.m. EDT anchor for the network’s block of black comedies. The good news for star D.L. Hughley is that UPN promises that it is “turning (them) loose” from ABC’s more uptight attitude. The bad news is now that “The Hughleys” has switched networks, there is a chance that UPN itself won’t be back next season. Anyway, “The Hughleys" is a funny show … for at least one more year.
The too little seen 1999 Oscar winner for Best Documentary comes to HBO on Monday at 8 p.m. EDT. “One Day in September” gives an in-depth look at the kidnapping of 11 Israeli athletes by Palestinian terrorists who demanded the release of hundreds of political prisoners in exchange for their hostage’s lives during the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany. ABC was in place to cover the games, and this film includes excerpts of anchor Jim McKay covering the crisis, plus interviews with negotiators and the last surviving member of the terrorist group. Michael Douglas narrates.
Billy Zane ("Titanic") gets to the heart of a tangled web of intrigue and conspiracy in the fast-paced but awkwardly titled (try saying it out loud) “Dean Koontz’s Sole Survivor” on Wednesday at 8 p.m. EDT on Fox, concluding Thursday at the same time).Zane plays Joe Carpenter, “ordinary Joe” and sole survivor of a plane crash that killed his wife and child. He gets suspicious, and eventually obsessed, when he finds a woman from the plane (an unreported survivor) taking photos of his wife’s grave. Watch closely and don’t tune in late.
Olivia Newton-John The 2000 Olympic Games from Sydney, Australia, officially kicks off with the Opening Ceremony on Friday at 7:30 p.m. EDT on NBC. Scheduled to perform are Olivia Newton-John and a bunch of people we’ve never heard of. Strangely, no members of AC/DC or Air Supply are on the card. The games will receive an unprecedented amount of air time in the United States as NBC, CNBC and MSNBC will bring us nearly three times what we saw from Atlanta in 1996. Here’s what we hope for, seriously … this is a global event, for the whole world, not just Americans. We like Americans as much as anybody, but when watching a sporting event, we’d like to hear a little bit about who is actually winning, even if that means we’ll have to learn something about a gymnast from China or a pole vaulter from Argentina. And, besides, if NBC is really worried about losing the audience by giving airtime to people from other countries, they could always hire Joan and Melissa Rivers to keep us entertained by making fun of the poorer country’s warm-up outfits.

If you think "Survivor: The Australian Outback" would end the madness that is the CBS reality series franchise, think again.
CBS Television President Leslie Moonves made the announcement Tuesday during the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif., that "Survivor" executive producer Mark Burnett will return to make "Survivor 3" and "Survivor 4."
As usual, nothing is known about the third and forth installments of the reality series that has made Richard Hatch a household name, but two things are certain: 1) work begins immediately on No. 3, with Burnett and his crews scouting all over the globe for where it will take place, and 2) "Survivor 3" is scheduled to bow as soon as this fall.
Stay tuned.
'Dharma &amp; Greg' 'DHARMA' KARMA: "Dharma &amp; Greg" might be heading toward splitsville, and we're not talking about the odd couple played by Thomas Gibson and Jenna Elfman.
Daily Variety is reporting that renewal of the ABC romantic sitcom might run into some rough water as the network and 20th Century Fox TV -- the show's producer -- hit the negotiation table in the upcoming months.
The problem is (what else?) money. While Fox wants ABC to pay $3 million per episode for the show, the network -- which currently shells out more than $900,000 per show -- only wants to pay $1.5 million.
Once again, stay tuned.
NO KIDS ALLOWED! So much for family values.
The Fox Network admitted Tuesday that a couple featured on its spanking new reality series "Temptation Island" was booted off the show after producers discovered that the two had (gasp!) a child together, Variety says.
The exact identity of the couple was not disclosed, however, and sources told the trade that the couple's secret is exposed on camera at some point during the show's six-episode run.
"On all checks, this couple never revealed having a child together,'' the network said in a statement. "As soon as the producers learned of the existence of the couple's child, they notified the network, and the decision was made to immediately remove them from further participation in the program."
"Temptation Island" -- which debuts today on the network -- has come under attack from all sides. The show's premise is to see if four couples -- unmarried but committed -- would cheat on each other once they're deposited on a tropical island with 26 (13 males, 13 females) nubile hotties as baits.
Great television, indeed.
And stay tuned.

This one just gets weirder and weirder. Now in its 27th year, the People's Choice Awards have announced their nominees and the results are even more worth a recount than that mess in Florida.
Culled by a nationwide Gallup poll of 213 million Americans, according to Reuters reports, the voters picked "The Patriot," "Remember the Titans" and "The Green Mile" as best film nominees. But the problem is, "The Green Mile," starring Tom Hanks, was released last year. Hmmm.
The award show, which honors those in film, music and TV, will pay tribute to favorites like Mel Gibson, Britney Spears and, um, Alabama.
On the TV front, Michael Richards ("The Michael Richards Show") and John Goodman ("Normal, Ohio") are each nominated in the favorite male performer in a new TV series category along with "Ed's" Tom Cavanagh -- despite the fact that these shows are all ratings stinkers (yeah, that makes sense).
"Dark Angel's" Jessica Alba will face off with Bette Midler and Geena Davis in the same category for women.
Once again, however, the American masses are sticking with NBC favorites like "Frasier," "Friends" but are taking a chance this year by adding "The West Wing" to their nominees list.
Musically, the Backstreet Boys were snubbed this year and replaced with rival 'N Sync to go up against the Dixie Chicks and Alabama -- which makes us wonder if the boy band has somehow gone country.
In the girl pop column, Britney Spears and Shania Twain are back to contend with Faith Hill this year.
Here's the list of nominees:
Favorite Male Television Performer
Drew Carey Kelsey Grammer Ray Romano
Favorite Female Television Performer
Jennifer Aniston Jenna Elfman Calista Flockhart
Favorite Male Performer In A New Television Series
Tom Cavanagh -- ``Ed'' John Goodman -- ``Normal, Ohio'' Michael Richards -- ``The Michael Richards Show''
Favorite Female Performer In A New Television Series
Jessica Alba -- ``Dark Angel'' Geena Davis -- ``The Geena Davis Show'' Bette Midler -- ``Bette''
Favorite Motion Picture
"The Green Mile" "The Patriot" "Remember the Titans"
Favorite Dramatic Motion Picture "The Green Mile" "The Patriot" "Remember the Titans"
Favorite Comedy Motion Picture
"Meet the Parents" "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps" "Scary Movie"
Favorite Motion Picture Star In A Comedy
Jim Carrey Eddie Murphy Adam Sandler
Favorite Motion Picture Star In A Drama
Mel Gibson Tom Hanks Denzel Washington
Favorite Motion Picture Actor
Mel Gibson Tom Hanks Denzel Washington
Favorite Motion Picture Actress
Sandra Bullock Julia Roberts Meg Ryan
Favorite Male Musical Performer
Garth Brooks Ricky Martin George Strait
Favorite Female Musical Performer
Faith Hill Britney Spears Shania Twain
Favorite Musical Group Or Band
Alabama Dixie Chicks 'N Sync

Queen of Music Madonna has sold her Hollywood Hills digs for $4 million. The buyer with $4 million less in her pocket?
Jenna Elfman ("Dharma &amp; Greg") and her husband, actor Bodhi Elfman, Reuters reports.
Madonna put the 5,000-square-foot home up for sale in June after purchasing another home in Beverly Hills, Calif., for $6.5 million. The 42-year-old singer also recently purchased a home in London's Notting Hill for $9.9 million to be closer to film director Guy Ritchie, with whom she has a 3-month-old son.
CLOSE CALL FOR FATHERHOOD: Elton John a daddy? Well, almost. The flamboyant rock singer came close to adopting an orphaned South African boy with partner David Furnish but decided against it, saying subjecting a 4-year-old to a high-profile lifestyle would be unfair, Reuters reports. The two considered adopting the boy, whose name is also Elton, after Furnish was moved by the plight of orphaned children there.
BEATLES A BUST: It really was a hard day's night for one London record store. The HMV store opened its doors Sunday at midnight to be the first outlet to sell the latest Beatles record, "1." They were expecting a tidal wave of Beatles fans.
What they got were 15 people who patiently waited in line to buy the album. The store is like holy ground to the diehard fans. Back in 1962, Brian Epstein used the store to make a demo disc by a new band he was managing -- the Beatles.
HEY KISS, KISS MY ... A severely damaged finger is at the core of a lawsuit against KISS. Carly Miller says her finger was injured at a KISS concert after singer Paul Stanley threw a broken guitar into the crowd. The stunt prompted fans to clamor for the instrument, causing a guitar string to become entangled around Miller's finger and damaging it, The Associated Press reports.
The suit names the band as well as the arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., where the show took place.

It's shaping up as a showdown between organized crime and the White House.
HBO's "The Sopranos" and NBC's "The West Wing" received the most Emmy nominations, tying with 18 each, and will compete for the best drama series award and several of the major acting categories. The nominations were announced in a dawn ceremony today in Los Angeles.
Other top nominees include the made-for-TV movies "RKO 281" with 13 nods, and "Annie" with 12. The HBO movie "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge," starring Halle Berry, and the NBC sitcom "Will &amp; Grace" received 11 nominations each.
Halle Berry The nominations were announced by two actors who won Emmys last year: Edie Falco of "The Sopranos," who was nominated again in the best dramatic actress category, and Michael Badalucco of "The Practice," who likewise was nominated again in the best supporting dramatic actor category.
With the mob of nominations for "The Sopranos," the Academy of Television Arts &amp; Sciences seemed to be trying to make up for last year, when the show won Emmys in several major acting categories but lost out to David E. Kelley's "The Practice" (which was nominated again) in the best drama series category. Other shows receiving best drama nods were "ER" and "Law &amp; Order."
Falco, musing on the acclaim for her role as Carmela on "The Sopranos," told Los Angeles station KCBS-TV, "I enjoy playing her, she's very different for me, and I get a kick out of being all the things she is."
And the kudos that the show has received are well deserved, she added. "The actors are good, the writing is amazing, and people, I think, recognize themselves in these characters, as different as they may seem. I am beside myself with excitement for all my friends."
Lorraine Bracco, also of "The Sopranos," likewise was nominated in the lead dramatic actress category. The other nominees are Amy Brenneman of "Judging Amy," Sela Ward of "Once and Again" and Julianna Margulies for her now-departed role on "ER."
"Friends" In the comedy series category, "Will &amp; Grace" will compete with "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Frasier," "Friends" and the HBO series "Sex and the City." But last year's winner, "Ally McBeal," was not even nominated in the comedy category, and it received a scant three nominations overall.
Martin Sheen, who plays "President Bartlet" on "The West Wing," was nominated as best dramatic actor , as expected. Overall, five cast members from the show received Emmy nods: Richard Schiff and John Spencer for best supporting actor in a drama series, and Stockard Channing and Allison Danney in the best supporting actress category.
Dennis Franz Other best dramatic actor nominees include James Gandolfini of (natch) "The Sopranos," Dennis Franz of "NYPD Blue" and Sam Waterston and Jerry Orbach of "Law &amp; Order."
There were also two nominations sure to tug at the heartstrings. Michael J. Fox was, predictably, nominated for lead actor in a comedy after leaving his "Spin City" gig to battle Parkinson's disease, and he'll compete with Kelsey Grammer of "Frasier," John Lithgow of "3rd Rock From the Sun," Eric McCormack of "Will &amp; Grace" and Ray Romano of "Everybody Loves Raymond."
The other nomination sure to stir emotions went to Nancy Marchand of "The Sopranos," who died in June, was nominated for best supporting actress in a drama.
For best actress in a comedy, there were nominations to Jenna Elfman of "Dharma &amp; Greg," Patricia Heaton of "Everybody Loves Raymond," Jane Kaczmarek of "Malcolm in the Middle," Debra Messing of "Will &amp; Grace" and Sarah Jessica Parker of "Sex and the City."
In the battle of networks, NBC was the leader with 97 nominations, followed by HBO with 86, ABC with 64, CBS with 41 and Fox with 26.

"Gladiator" continued to rule the box office this weekend, collecting another $24 million in tribute from moviegoers.
The R-rated action adventure from DreamWorks easily held on to first place in its second week with a hefty ESTIMATED $24.3 million (-30%) at 2,943 theaters (+40 theaters; $8,257 per theater). Its cume is approximately $73.3 million, heading for about $150 million in domestic theaters.
"Gladiator's" per theater average was the highest for any film playing in wide release this weekend.
"Obviously, it's a strong hold," DreamWorks distribution head Jim Tharp said Sunday morning. "The positive word-of-mouth continues to be very strong."
Although DreamWorks is distributing "Gladiator" domestically, Universal is releasing it internationally. The two studios are 50-50 partners, sharing equally in its success. The film reportedly cost $103 million to make.
Directed by Ridley Scott, "Gladiator" stars Russell Crowe.
Warner Bros. and Franchise Pictures' PG-13 rated sci-fi action adventure "Battlefield Earth" opened in second place to a solid ESTIMATED $12.32 million at 3,307 theaters ($3,725 per theater).
"I'm happy to be number two," Warner Bros. Distribution president Dan Fellman said Sunday morning. "The reviews were not good. It shows how strong John Travolta is as a star. To come in number two in a very competitive marketplace is a nice place to be. Franchise is very pleased that it opened up (well). They're going to support the movie."
Directed by Roger Christian, it stars John Travolta, Barry Pepper and Forest Whitaker.
"U-571," Universal's PG-13 World War II submarine drama, dropped anchor in third place, down one rung in its fourth week, but holding well with an ESTIMATED $5.78 million (-26%) at 2,820 theaters (+119 theaters; $2,050 per theater). Its cume is approximately $57.9 million, heading for about $75 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Jonathan Mostow, "U-571" stars Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel and Jon Bon Jovi.
"We're very happy," Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco said Sunday morning. "I think 'U-571' has found its niche in the marketplace (and) it will continue to play. It didn't get hurt tremendously (this week), as much as it did last week from the opening of 'Gladiator.' Obviously, there's room in the marketplace for these kinds of films."
New Line's "Frequency," which was fourth last week, tied for fourth place in its third week, showing strong legs with an ESTIMATED $4.8 million (-26%) at 2,470 theaters (-161 theaters; $1,943 per theater). Its cume is approximately $24.6 million, heading for about $35 million in domestic theatres.
Directed by Gregory Hoblit, it stars Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel.
"It's what we've said from the beginning - everyone who sees it, likes it," New Line executive vice president, distribution David Tuckerman said Sunday morning. "Everybody's talking about it."
Columbia's opening of its PG-13-rated youth appeal dance film "Center Stage" tied for fourth place with a calm ESTIMATED $4.8 million at 1,506 theaters ($3,187 per theater).
"There was a nice turnout of teenage girls as the main audience," Sony Pictures Releasing president Jeff Blake said Sunday morning. "And there were very good exit polls on that segment (of the audience). It was 80% in the Top Two Boxes (excellent and very good) and a 74% definite recommend. Those are numbers that certainly encourage us that we can go forward with this group. Actually, the reaction of the males that attended really was pretty good, also, but not many males attended."
Blake also pointed out, "It's a $19 million picture and should turn out fine (in terms of Sony not getting hurt on it)."
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, it stars Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana, Susan May Pratt, Peter Gallagher, Donna Murphy and Ethan Stiefel.
Universal's "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas," the PG rated prequel to the 1996 "Flintstones" blockbuster, which was third last week, tied for fourth place in its third week with a still-lively ESTIMATED $4.8 million (-28%) at 3,128 theaters (+77 theaters; $1,535 per theater). Its cume is approximately $24.6 million, heading for about $35 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Brian Levant, director of the original "Flintstones," the prequel stars Mark Addy and Stephen Baldwin.
"'Flintstones' is still the only family film (in the marketplace now)," Universal's Rocco said. "So we are pleased with its holding power this weekend. Hopefully, there will be room for it in the (coming) marketplace. Next weekend when 'Dinosaur' opens, it will just stimulate the family business."
20th Century Fox's PG-13-rated drama "Where the Heart Is" dropped two pegs to seventh place in its third week with a slower beating ESTIMATED $3.6 million (-30%) at 2,410 theaters (-29 theaters; $1,494 per theater). Its cume is approximately $21.1 million.
"Heart," which cost about $15 million to make, was picked up by Fox for domestic and English speaking territories for only $9 million.
Directed and produced by Matt Williams, it stars Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing and Joan Cusack.
Universal's PG-13-rated comedy "Screwed" opened quietly in eighth place to an ESTIMATED $3.4 million at 1,759 theaters ($1,935 per theater), not nearly as well as its 12% first-choice tracking had suggested would be the case.
Written and directed by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, it stars Norm MacDonald, David Chappelle and Danny DeVito.
New Line's PG-13-rated urban appeal drama "Love &amp; Basketball" moved down court three positions in its fourth week to ninth place with a calm ESTIMATED $2.0 million (-39%) at 1,047 theaters (-145 theaters; $1,910 per theater). Its cume is approximately $22.3 million, heading for about $30 million.
Written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, it stars Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan.
Rounding out the Top Ten was Buena Vista/Touchstone's PG-13-rated romantic comedy "Keeping the Faith," down three notches in its fifth week with a slower ESTIMATED $1.9 million (-32%) at 1,569 theaters (-445 theaters; $1,179 per theatre). Its cume is approximately $32.3 million.
Directed by Edward Norton, it stars Ben Stiller, Jenna Elfman and Edward Norton.
Last weekend also saw the arrival of Trimark Pictures' PG-13-rated urban appeal action romance "Held Up." Exhibitor Relations reported an estimate of $1.9 million, which would tie it for 10th place. Other distributors' estimates, however, had 'Held Up' coming in as low as $1.61 million, placing it 12th at 688 theaters ($2,340 per theater).
Directed by Steve Rash, it stars Jamie Foxx and Nia Long.
OTHER OPENINGS
Miramax Films opened its R-rated contemporary version of "Hamlet," placing 26th with an encouraging ESTIMATED $0.061 million at 4 theaters in New York and Los Angeles ($15,250 per theater).
Directed by Michael Almereyda, it stars Ethan Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Sam Shepard, Diane Venora, Bill Murray, Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles.
"We'll go to the top 10 markets this Friday on about 15 screens," Miramax senior vice president, marketing David Kaminow said Sunday morning.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
DreamWorks held sneak previews Friday night of its R-rated youth comedy "Road Trip" at 800 theaters.
"They were very good," DreamWorks distribution head Jim Tharp said Sunday morning. "The reaction was very positive and over 90% in the Top Two Boxes (excellent and very good). It ran 60-70% capacity."
"Trip" opens Friday (5/19) at about 2,400 theaters.
Directed by Todd Phillips, it stars Breckin Meyer and Seann William Scott.
EXPANSIO S
On the expansion front, Paramount Classics' R-rated drama about teen suicide, "The Virgin Suicides" expanded in its fourth week, placing 19th with a weak ESTIMATED $0.62 million at 270 theaters (+170 theaters; $2,285 per theater). Its cume is approximately $1.7 million.
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, it stars James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett.
Miramax's R-rated comedy "East Is East" added a few theaters in its fifth week, placing 23rd with a quiet ESTIMATED $0.21 million at 63 theaters (+2 theaters; $3,330 per theater). Its cume is approximately $1.3 million.
Produced by Leslee Udwin and directed by Damien O'Donnell, "East" stars Om Puri and Linda Bassett.
Sony's Screen Gems label expanded its R-rated digitally shot comedy "Time Code" in its third week, placing 24th with an unexciting ESTIMATED $0.14 million at 42 theaters (+35 theaters; $3,214 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.4 million.
Directed by Mike Figgis, it stars Saffron Burrows and Salma Hayek.
Lions Gate Films' R-rated dark comedy "The Big Kahuna" went wider in its third week, placing 25th with an okay ESTIMATED $0.11 million at 16 theaters (+8 theaters; $6,737 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.3 million.
Directed by John Swanbeck, "Kahuna" stars Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and Peter Facinelli.
Miramax's R-rated comedy "Human Traffic" widened in its second week, placing 27th with a stop-and-go ESTIMATED $0.034 at 26 theaters (+21 theaters; $1,325 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.05 million.
Written and directed by Justin Kerrigan, it stars John Simm, Lorraine Pilkington, Shaun Parkes, Danny Dyer, Nicola Reynolds and Dean Davies.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 for the weekend -- took in approximately $79.40 million, up about 25.37% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $63.33 million.
This weekend's key film gross was down about 3.43% from this year's previous weekend, when key films grossed $82.22 million.
Last year, Universal's second week of "The Mummy" was first with $24.86 million at 3,226 theaters ($7,705 per theater); and 20th Century Fox's third week of "Entrapment" was second with $9.08 million at 2,879 theaters ($3,153 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $34.0 million. This year, the top two films grossed an ESTIMATED $36.6 million.
STUDIO MARKET SHARES
Based on business by key films (those grossing $500,000 or more), last weekend's top six distributors were:
DreamWorks was first with two films ("Gladiator" and "The Road to El Dorado"), grossing an ESTIMATED $24.96 million or 31.4% of the market.
Universal was second with three films ("U-571," "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas" and "Erin Brockovich"), grossing an ESTIMATED $13.99 million or 17.6% of the market.
Warner Bros. was third with one film ("Battlefield Earth"), grossing an ESTIMATED $12.32 million or 15.5% of the market.
New Line was fourth with three films ("Frequency," "Love &amp; Basketball" and "Final Destination"), grossing an ESTIMATED $7.98 million or 10.0% of the market.
Sony Pictures Releasing (Columbia, TriStar, Screen Gems) was fifth with three films ("Center Stage," "I Dreamed Of Africa" and "28 Days"), grossing an ESTIMATED $7.70 million or 9.7% of the market.
20th Century Fox was sixth with one film ("Where the Heart Is"), grossing an ESTIMATED $3.6 million or 4.5% of the market.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES
(11)Erin Brockovich/Universal: Theaters: 1,486 (-456) Gross: $1.64 million (-25%) Average per theater: $1,105 Cume: $118.4 million
(12)HELD UP/Trimark: (see above)
(13)28 Days/Columbia: Theaters: 1,755 (-658) Gross: $1.5 million (-36%) Average per theater: $855 Cume: $34.4 million
(14)Rules of Engagement/Paramount: Theaters: 1,618 (-643) Gross: $1.46 million (-40%) Average per theater: $900 Cume: $56.4 million
(15)I Dreamed Of Africa/Columbia: Theaters: 2,112 (0) Gross: $1.4 million (-42%) Average per theater: $663 Cume: $4.8 million
(16)Final Destination/New Line: Theaters: 944 (-159) Gross: $1.18 million (-28%) Average per theater: $1,245 Cume: $49.8 million
(17)Return to Me/MGM: Theaters: 1,203 (-500) Gross: $1.06 million (-30%) Average per theater: $880 Cume: $28.9 million
(18)The Road to El Dorado/DreamWorks: Theaters: 1,027 (-501) Gross: $0.66 million (-28%) Average per theater: $640 Cume: $48.7 million
(19)The Virgin Suicides/Paramount Classics: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(20)High Fidelity/BV: Theaters: 361 (-191) Gross: $0.57 million (-23%) Average per theater: $1,590 Cume: $24.2 million
(21)The Skulls/Universal: Theaters: 573 (-296) Gross: $0.45 million (-34%) Average per theater: $785 Cume: $34.2 million
(22)Up At The Villa/USA Films: Theaters: 87 (-2) Gross: $0.29 million (-16%) Average per theater: $3,275 Cume: $0.8 million
(23)East Is East/Miramax: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(24)Time Code/Sony/Screen Gems: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(25)The Big Kahuna/Lions Gate: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(26)HAMLET/Miramax: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(27)Human Traffic/Miramax: (see EXPANSIONS above)

Moviegoers gave DreamWorks' "Gladiator" a thumbs-up vote of nearly $33 million.
The R-rated DreamWorks' action adventure set in ancient Rome arrived to a spectacular ESTIMATED $32.7 million at 2,938 theaters ($11,130 per theater). Its per theater average was the highest for any film playing in wide or limited release this weekend.
"It really is a great opening," DreamWorks distribution head Jim Tharp said Sunday morning. "I think we're so pleased with it because it's an R-rated movie, it has a long running time and, initially, the appeal was predominately to men. All of that indicated it would be tough to get the movie to $30 million.
"The positive word of mouth helped increase Friday from $11.1 million to $13.6 million (on Saturday). On Friday, women represented about 35% of our audience, and on Saturday it jumped to about 45%. That positive word of mouth actually affected women as much if not more than men. They found out it played on an emotional level, versus what you anticipate from a movie called 'Gladiator' set in Rome in the Second Century."
Early Sunday morning, Tharp had not yet received details of the studio's exit polls but, based on preliminary information, said, "The over-25 (demographic group) is still the biggest part of our audience. But only slightly more (than the under-25s). It seemed like the date crowd did respond on Saturday night."
Looking at past big summer openings by R-rated films, Tharp said, " Air Force One" was the biggest ever at $37.2 million or so. Most of the ones above us had Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford or Mel Gibson. I think it puts Russell Crowe in rarified company there. This is the first vehicle for him that's opened to anywhere near these numbers."
Asked why DreamWorks opted to release the film this weekend, Tharp explained, "We felt this weekend we would have 100% of our primary demographic. Later in the summer is a better play time, but our thinking is we'd rather have almost 100% of our demographic now than split that primary demographic later."
Although DreamWorks is distributing "Gladiator" domestically, Universal is releasing it internationally, and the two studios are 50-50 partners, sharing equally in its success. The film reportedly cost $103 million to make.
"Gladiator" arrived via Universal in Australia last Thursday, opening to a record-setting gross of over $600,000 (A$1.03 million) at 287 theaters. Universal said its opening day success topped previous arrivals by hits like "Deep Impact", "The Mummy," "Saving Private Ryan,"" Jurassic Park:The Lost World" and "Jurassic Park."
The Australian opening, which kicked off the film's international campaign, was followed by its launch in Mexico this weekend. Most of "Gladiator's" international runs will begin later in May and continue through June.
Directed by Ridley Scott, "Gladiator" stars Russell Crowe.
"U-571," Universal's PG-13 World War II submarine drama, sank one notch to second place in its third week with a slower ESTIMATED $7.56 million (-40%) at 2,701 theaters (+85 theaters; $2,800 per theater). Its cume is approximately $49.4 million, heading for $60 million-plus in domestic theaters.
Directed by Jonathan Mostow, "U-571" stars Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel and Jon Bon Jovi.
"There's a lot to be said this weekend, because you can't forget that we're 50% partners on 'Gladiator,'" Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco said Sunday morning. "We have the number one, two and three films in the marketplace. So I feel thrilled."
Note: Based on Universal's estimates, 'The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas' came in third, slightly ahead of New Line's 'Frequency'. However, New Line's estimates for "Frequency" came in ahead of "Flintstones." Rankings here reflect the estimates reported by each of the studios on their own releases.
Focusing on "Flintstones," Rocco noted that it was up strongly on Saturday from Friday. After doing $1.37 million Friday, it jumped 118% to $2.99 million Saturday. "A 118% boost is what you want to see between a Friday and a Saturday when there is no school (vacation)," Rocco said.
"I think the 'Gladiator' number is really fabulous. So, all in all, a great weekend for the Big Globe!"
"Frequency" held on to third place in its second week with a still solid ESTIMATED $6.53 million (-28%) at 2,631 theaters (+10 theaters; $2,471 per theater). Its cume is approximately $17.8 million.
Directed by Gregory Hoblit, it stars Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel.
Universal's "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas," the PG-rated prequel to the 1996 "Flintstones" blockbuster, slid two pegs to fourth place in its second week with a less-animated ESTIMATED $6.31 million (-40%) at 3,050 theaters (+10 theaters; $2,070 per theater). Its cume is approximately $18.3 million.
Directed by Brian Levant, director of the original "Flintstones," the prequel stars Mark Addy and Stephen Baldwin.
20th Century Fox's PG-13 rated drama "Where the Heart Is" dropped one notch to fifth place in its second week with a less hearty ESTIMATED $5.0 million (-40%) at 2,439 theaters (+2 theaters; $2,050 per theater). Its cume is approximately $15.7 million.
"Heart," which cost about $15 million to make, was picked up by Fox for domestic and English-speaking territories for only $9 million.
Directed and produced by Matt Williams, it stars Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing and Joan Cusack.
New Line's PG-13 rated urban appeal drama "Love &amp; Basketball" slid one notch in its third week to sixth place with a slower ESTIMATED $3.5 million (-34%) at 1,192 theaters (-53 theaters; $2,810 per theater). Its cume is approximately $19.8 million.
Made for under $10 million, "Basketball's" target audience is under-25 African-Americans.
Written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, it stars Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan.
Buena Vista/Touchstone's PG-13 rated romantic comedy "Keeping the Faith" held on to seventh place in its fourth week with a less faithful ESTIMATED $2.8 million (-37%) at 2,014 theaters (-157 theaters; $1,376 per theatre). Its cume is approximately $29.5 million.
Directed by Edward Norton, it stars Ben Stiller, Jenna Elfman and Edward Norton.
Columbia's PG-13 drama "I Dreamed Of Africa" wasn't what moviegoers were dreaming about, opening in eighth place to a disappointing ESTIMATED $2.5 million at 2,112 theaters ($1,184 per theater).
"Africa," which cost about $34 million to make, is directed by Hugh Hudson and stars Kim Basinger.
Paramount's R rated military trial drama "Rules of Engagement" fell three rungs to ninth place in its fifth week with a dull ESTIMATED $2.4 million (-49%) at 2,261 theaters (-766 theaters; $1,061 per theater). Its cume is approximately $54.0 million heading for $60-65 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by William Friedkin, it stars Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson.
Rounding out the Top Ten was Columbia's PG-13 rated dramatic comedy "28 Days," down two notches in its fourth week with a restrained ESTIMATED $2.35 million (-41%) at 2,413 theaters (-110 theaters; $974 per theater). Its cume is approximately $32.0 million, heading for $40 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Betty Thomas, "Days" stars Sandra Bullock and Viggo Mortensen.
OTHER OPENINGS
Last weekend also saw the arrival of USA Films' PG-13 rated drama "Up At The Villa," placing 20th with a calm ESTIMATED $0.33 million at 89 theaters ($3,655 per theater).
Directed by Philip Haas, it stars Kristin Scott Thomas, Sean Penn, James Fox, Derek Jacobi and Anne Bancroft.
Miramax's R rated comedy "Human Traffic" kicked off in 25th place to a stop-and-go ESTIMATED $10,500 at 5 theaters (1 in New York and 4 in Los Angeles; $2,100 per theater).
"Traffic" will drive into the Top Ten markets this Friday (5/12).
Written and directed by Justin Kerrigan, it stars John Simm, Lorraine Pilkington, Shaun Parkes, Danny Dyer, Nicola Reynolds and Dean Davies.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
Columbia held sneak previews Saturday night of its PG-13 rated youth appeal dance film "Center Stage" at 627 theaters.
"We probably were about half full," Sony Pictures Releasing president Jeff Blake said Sunday morning, "but really at or near capacity. Most of the suburban malls got a lot of young teenage girl business. It's really become - and I think we're marketing towards them - their show.
'Flashdance' or female 'Rocky' kind of show, as opposed to anything stuffy or artistic in the world of ballet. I think the dancing in it is great, but pointedly we've emphasized the struggle of the young girl to make it. I think that's certainly the audience that's going to respond best and the audience that showed up most at the sneaks. There's a lot of teenage girls out there. Many of them showed up last night and, hopefully, more to come next weekend."
"Stage" opens wide Friday (5/12).
Directed by Nicholas Hytner, it stars Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana, Susan May Pratt, Peter Gallagher, Donna Murphy and Ethan Stiefel.
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front, Paramount Classics' R-rated drama about teen suicide, "The Virgin Suicides" expanded in its third week, placing 21st with a disappointing ESTIMATED $0.3 million at 100 theaters (+71 theaters; $3,040 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.9 million.
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, it stars James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett.
Miramax's R-rated comedy "East Is East" went wider in its fourth week, placing 22nd with a quiet ESTIMATED $0.22 million at 61 theaters (+17 theaters; $3,524 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.9 million.
Produced by Leslee Udwin and directed by Damien O'Donnell, "East" stars Om Puri and Linda Bassett.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 for the weekend -- took in approximately $79.13 million, down about 1.77% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $80.55 million.
This weekend's key film gross was up about 1.97% from this year's previous weekend, when key films grossed $77.60 million.
Last year, Universal's opening week of "The Mummy" was first with $43.37 million at 3,209 theaters ($13,515 per theater); and 20th Century Fox's second week of "Entrapment" was second with $12.33 million at 2,855 theaters ($4,318 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $55.7 million. This year, the top two films grossed an ESTIMATED $40.3 million.
STUDIO MARKET SHARES
Based on business by key films (those grossing $500,000 or more), last weekend's top six distributors were:
DreamWorks was first with two films("Gladiator" and "The Road to El Dorado"), grossing an ESTIMATED $33.50 million or 42.3% of the market.
Universal was second with four films ("U-571," "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas," "Erin Brockovich" and "The Skulls"), grossing an ESTIMATED $16.64 million or 21.0% of the market.
New Line was third with three films ("Frequency," "Love &amp; Basketball" and "Final Destination"), grossing an ESTIMATED $11.75 million or 14.9% of the market.
20th Century Fox was fourth with one film ("Where the Heart Is"), grossing an ESTIMATED $5.0 million or 6.3% of the market.
Sony Pictures Releasing (Columbia, TriStar, Screen Gems) was fifth with two films ("I Dreamed Of Africa" and "28 Days"), grossing an ESTIMATED $4.85 million or 6.1% of the market.
Buena Vista (Disney, Touchstone) was sixth with two films ("Keeping the Faith" and "High Fidelity"), grossing an ESTIMATED $3.59 million or 4.5% of the market.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES
(11)Erin Brockovich/Universal: Theaters: 1,943 (-555) Gross: $2.1 million (-42%) Average per theater: $1,080 Cume: $115.9 million
(12)Final Destination/New Line: Theaters: 1,103 (-50) Gross: $1.73 million (-27%) Average per theater: $1,564 Cume: $48.3 million
(13)Return to Me/MGM: Theaters: 1,703 (-303) Gross: $1.41 million (-39%) Average per theater: $825 Cume: $27.2 million
(14)The Road to El Dorado/DreamWorks: Theaters: 1,528 (-719) Gross: $0.8 million (-60%) Average per theater: $520 Cume: $47.7 million
(15)High Fidelity/BV/Touchstone: Theaters: 552 (-254) Gross: $0.79 million (-37%) Average per theater: $1,426 Cume: $23.3 million
(16)The Skulls/Universal: Theaters: 871 (-462) Gross: $0.67 million (-47%) Average per theater: $765 Cume: $33.6 million
(17) American Beauty/DreamWorks: Theaters: 603 (-188) Gross: $0.42 million (-38%) Average per theater: $690 Cume: $128.8 million
(18)American Psycho/Lions Gate: Theaters: 501 (-511) Gross: $0.41 million (-70%) Average per theater: $810 Cume: $13.1 million
(19)Romeo Must Die/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 453 (-256) Gross: $0.40 million (-50%) Average per theater: $885 Cume: $54.3 million
(20)UP AT THE VILLA/USA Films: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(21)The Virgin Suicides/Paramount Classics: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(22)East Is East/Miramax: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(23)Time Code/Sony/Screen Gems: Theaters: 7 (0) Gross: $0.053 million (-43%) Average per theater: $7,600 Cume: $0.2 million
(24)The Big Kahuna/Lions Gate: Theaters: 8 (0) Gross: $0.047 million (-42%) Average per theater: $5,845 Cume: $0.2 million
(25)HUMAN TRAFFIC/Miramax: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)

Universal's unsinkable "U-571" continued full speed ahead in first place this weekend just as studio tracking data indicated it would.
The PG-13 World War II submarine drama, which had a 19% first-choice tracking going into the weekend, held on to the top spot with a brisk ESTIMATED $12.33 million (-37%) at 2,615 theaters (+32 theaters; $4,715 per theater). Its cume is approximately $38.2 million, heading for $60 million-plus in domestic theaters.
"U-571's" per theater average was the highest for any film playing in wide release this weekend.
Directed by Jonathan Mostow, "U-571" stars Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel and Jon Bon Jovi.
"Once again, Universal keeps the marketplace afloat," Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco said Sunday morning. "With nearly 40% of the market share in a lackluster environment, Universal managed to have three films in the Top Ten."
Rocco sees "U-571" sailing "past $60 million, but a lot depends on what happens next week. There's a very big film that's tracking tremendously well for males called 'Gladiator,' which is 50% owned by Universal (and 50% owned by DreamWorks). 'U-571' could be affected by it. There's no doubt about it. It depends on how much the marketplace can expand. If you take a look at the business, there's not much going on out there. So we're hoping that 'Gladiator' does expand the marketplace enough for 'U-571' to hang in there and for 'Gladiator' to do a ton of business."
Although DreamWorks is distributing "Gladiator" domestically and Universal has it internationally, Rocco pointed out, "We're 50-50 partners. We share equally in the film."
The R rated action adventure "Gladiator," a period piece set during the time of the Roman Empire, is directed by Ridley Scott and stars Russell Crowe.
Universal also owned second place, opening its "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas" to a rock solid ESTIMATED $10.81 million at 3,037 theaters ($3,560 per theater).
"Vegas" is the PG rated prequel to the 1996 "Flintstones" blockbuster that grossed over $350 million worldwide.
Directed by Brian Levant, director of the original "Flintstones," the prequel stars Mark Addy and Stephen Baldwin.
"It's great. There's no (other) family film in the marketplace. Its tracking indicated it would open around $10 million, which is what I expected," Universal's Rocco said.
"We also have a lot of promotional tie-ins this week -- particularly with Burger King -- which should keep it in the marketplace. There's nothing else doing business with the family audience. Obviously, the kids like it, particularly young females."
New Line's opening of its PG-13 rated time travel thriller "Frequency" was a high-powered third with an ESTIMATED $9.125 million at 2,621 theaters ($3,481 per theater).
Directed by Gregory Hoblit, it stars Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel.
"We're just tickled," New Line distribution head David Tuckerman said Sunday morning. "It was tracking (to open) at $7 million. We had a big rush at the end, which is a New Line specialty. We think this picture's going to be in the marketplace for a long time."
Who is the film's core audience? "You know something," Tuckerman replied, "it's all over (the place). That was one of the problems we had with (marketing) the movie. All sections are, like, tracking equally -- the under-25, the over 25, and both male and female."
20th Century Fox's opening of its PG-13 rated drama "Where the Heart Is" finished fourth with a heartening ESTIMATED $8.3 million at 2,437 theaters ($3,405 per theater).
The $15 million "Heart" is likely to be profitable for Fox, which reportedly picked it up for domestic and English speaking territories for just $9 million.
Directed and produced by Matt Williams, it stars Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing and Joan Cusack.
"The picture played extremely well, especially to women," Tom Sherak, 20th Domestic Film Group chairman and senior executive vice president of Fox Filmed Entertainment, said Sunday morning.
"70% of the audience was women. It played in the 80%'s definite recommend and in the 90%'s excellent and very good. So, hopefully, it will have a nice long run. The definite recommend for younger women (under 25) was 82% and for older women was 78%."
Noting "Heart's" low acquisition cost to Fox, Sherak said, "We should do really well on it."
New Line also scored a fifth place victor with "Love &amp; Basketball," down three hoops in its second week with a still lovely ESTIMATED $5.55 million (-32%) at 1,245 theaters (+8 theaters; $4,458 per theater). Its cume is approximately $15.9 million.
The PG-13 rated drama, which reportedly cost under $10 million to make, is targeted to under-25 African-Americans.
Written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, it stars Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan.
"I think it's going to do between $35 and $40 million," New Line distribution head David Tuckerman said Sunday morning. "I think it's profitable now."
Paramount's R rated military trial drama "Rules of Engagement" fell three pegs in its fourth week to sixth place with a quiet ESTIMATED $4.75 million (-41%) at 3,027 theaters (-193 theaters; $1,569 per theater). Its cume is approximately $50.2 million heading for $60-65 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by William Friedkin, it stars Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson.
Buena Vista/Touchstone's PG-13 rated romantic comedy "Keeping the Faith" continued to show good legs in its third week, down two rungs to seventh place with an okay ESTIMATED $4.6 million (-35%) at 2,171 theaters (+13 theaters; $2,150 per theatre). Its cume is approximately $25.7 million.
Directed by Edward Norton, it stars Ben Stiller, Jenna Elfman and Edward Norton.
Columbia's PG-13 rated dramatic comedy "28 Days" slid four notches to eighth place in its third week with a restrained ESTIMATED $4.0 million (-45%) at 2,523 theaters (theater count unchanged; $1,585 per theater). Its cume is approximately $28.6 million, heading for $40 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by Betty Thomas, "Days" stars Sandra Bullock and Viggo Mortensen.
Universal's "Erin Brockovich" fell three notches to ninth place in its seventh weekend with a less sexy ESTIMATED $3.77 million (-31%) at 2,504 theaters (-652 theaters; $1,505 per theater). Its cume is approximately $113.0 million, heading for $125-130 million in domestic theaters.
The R rated dramatic comedy was co-financed by Universal, which is distributing it domestically, and by Columbia, which is releasing it internationally. The two studios are 50-50 partners in the picture.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, it stars Julia Roberts, Albert Finney and Aaron Eckart.
Rounding out the Top Ten was New Line's R rated suspense thriller "Final Destination," down one rung and holding solidly in its seventh weekend with a strong ESTIMATED $2.53 million (-10%) at 1,153 theaters (-162 theaters; $2,190 per theater). Its cume is approximately $46.1 million heading for $50 million in domestic theaters.
Directed by James Wong, it stars Devon Sawa.
MGM's PG rated romantic comedy "Return to Me" was nearly tied with "Final," placing 11th, down three slots in its fourth week with an okay ESTIMATED $2.5 million (-37%) at 2,006 theaters (-314 theaters; $1,246 per theater). Its cume is approximately $25.2 million.
Directed by Bonnie Hunt, "Return" cost only about $24 million to make. It stars David Duchovny and Minnie Driver.
OTHER OPENINGS
Last weekend also saw the arrival, via Sony's Screen Gems label, of its R rated digitally shot comedy "Time Code," placing 23rd with an enc uraging ESTIMATED $0.095 million at 7 theaters ($13,571 per theater).
Directed by Mike Figgis, it stars Saffron Burrows and Salma Hayek.
"We're really excited about it," Sony Pictures releasing president Jeff Blake said Sunday morning. "We really feel like we're on the front end of a real filmmaking revolution here. I think that's always what made the project fun. We got very nice reviews and, I think, great results. The Nuart (in West L.A.) looks like it's going to do over $25,000. Both New York runs look like about $17,000 each. I think there's real interest here. The fact that it's the beginning of something that a lot of people feel is coming - shooting completely in digital from beginning to end -- really makes it kind of exciting.
"This really is the kind of picture we formed Screen Gems to get involved with. I think Valerie Van Galder and her marketing team really did a terrific job on this."
Looking ahead, Blake said, "We're going to add 16 more major markets next Friday and then expand on May 12 in the markets we opened this week."
Lions Gate Films' R rated dark comedy "The Big Kahuna" arrived in New York and Los Angeles, placing 24th with an okay ESTIMATED $0.088 million at 8 theaters ($11,000 per theater).
Directed by John Swanbeck, "Kahuna" stars Kevin Spacey, Danny DeVito and Peter Facinelli.
"On May 12 we go into seven additional markets exclusive, and on May 19 it's going to go out to approximately 400 runs," Lions Gate co-president Tom Ortenberg said Sunday morning.
Looking at "Kahuna's" first weekend, Ortenberg said, "I think it's solid. It's an art film. It's going to play like an art film. Our best run in Los Angeles was actually Pasadena, which I think shows the more mature suburban nature of the picture. So I'm not so concerned about opening up to huge numbers out of the gate. On 'The Red Violin,' we had areas where, for example, Palo Alto/Menlo Park was bigger than the city of San Francisco. Deerfield, Illinois, was bigger than the city of Chicago. Boulder was bigger than Denver.
"We weren't looking for huge numbers out of the core runs. We were looking to get the picture on its feet and established in the marketplace and kind of set the groundwork for further expansion. I think that's pretty much what we've done."
Miramax's R rated dark comedy "Committed" opened in New York and L.A., placing 26th with an uncommitted ESTIMATED $0.012 million at 6 theaters (3 in New York and 3 in Los Angeles; $2,000 per theater).
Written and directed by Lisa Krueger, it stars Heather Graham and Casey Affleck.
"It will go to the Top Ten (markets) next week," Miramax senior vice president, marketing David Kaminow said Sunday morning.
USA Films' R rated dark comedy "The Idiots" opened in New York, placing 27th with a calm ESTIMATED $0.007 million at 2 theaters ($3,642 per theater).
Directed by Lars von Trier, it stars Brodil Jorgensen.
Sony Pictures Classics kicked off its R rated romantic comedy "Bossa Nova" at two theaters in New York. No estimates were available Sunday morning since SPC does not track its openings.
Directed by Bruno Barreto, it stars Amy Irving and Antonio Fagundes.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
There were no national sneak previews this weekend.
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front, Miramax's R rated comedy "East Is East" went wider in its third week, placing 21st with an encouraging ESTIMATED $0.27 million at 39 theaters (+21 theaters; $6,100 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.6 million.
Produced by Leslee Udwin and directed by Damien O'Donnell, "East" stars Om Puri and Linda Bassett.
Paramount Classics' R rated drama about teen suicide, "The Virgin Suicides," expanded in its second week, placing 22nd with a less sexy ESTIMATED $0.17 million (-29%) at 29 theaters (+11 theaters; $5,765 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.5 million.
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, it stars James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett.
USA Films went wider with its R rated drama "Joe Gould's Secret," placing 25th in its fourth week with a dull ESTIMATED $0.064 million at 32 theaters (+3 theaters; $2,013 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.3 million.
Directed by Stanley Tucci, it stars Ian Holm and Stanley Tucci.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 for the weekend -- took in approximately $76.97 million, up about 42.47% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $54.02 million.
This weekend's key film gross was down about 9.80% from this year's previous weekend, when key films grossed $85.33 million.
Last year, 20th Century Fox's opening week of "Entrapment" was first with $20.15 million at 2,815 theaters ($7,157 per theater); and Warner Bros.' fifth week of "The Matrix" was second with $8.72 million at 2,903 theaters ($3,002 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $28.8 million. This year, the top two films grossed an ESTIMATED $23.1 million.
STUDIO MARKET SHARES
Based on business by key films (those grossing $500,000 or more), last weekend's top six distributors were:
Universal was first with four films ("U-571," "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas," "Erin Brockovich" and "The Skulls"), grossing an ESTIMATED $28.22 million or 36.6% of the market.
New Line was second with three films ("Frequency," "Love &amp; Basketball" and "Final Destination"), grossing an ESTIMATED $17.2 million or 22.3% of the market.
20th Century Fox was third with one film ("Where the Heart Is"), grossing an ESTIMATED $8.3 million or 10.8% of the market.
Buena Vista (Disney, Touchstone)was fourth with three films ("Keeping the Faith," "High Fidelity" and "Fantasia 2000"), grossing an ESTIMATED $7.9 million or 10.3% of the market.
Paramount was fifth with one film ("Rules of Engagement"), grossing an ESTIMATED $4.75 million or 6.2% of the market.
Sony Pictures Releasing (Columbia, TriStar, Screen Gems) was sixth with one film ("28 Days"), grossing an ESTIMATED $4.0 million or 5.2% of the market.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES
(12)The Road to El Dorado/DreamWorks: Theaters: 2,247 (-923) Gross: $2.2 million (-58%) Average per theater: $979 Cume: $46.6 million
(13)Fantasia 2000/BV/Disney: Theaters: 53 (0) (all IMAX) Gross: $2.0 million (+11%) Average per theater: $38,056 Cume: $49.7 million (domestic)
(14) American Psycho/Lions Gate: Theaters: 1,012 (-230) Gross: $1.35 million (-50%) Average per theater: $1,334 Cume: $12.1 million
(15)The Skulls/Universal: Theaters: 1,340 (-707) Gross: $1.31 million (-52%) Average per theater: $975 Cume: $32.6 million
(16)High Fidelity/BV/Touchstone: Theaters: 806 (-425) Gross: $1.3 million (-40%) Average per theater: $1,635 Cume: $22.2 million
(17)Gossip/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 1,525 (0) Gross: $0.98 million (-58%) Average per theater: $645 Cume: $4.2 million
(18)Romeo Must Die/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 709 (-730) Gross: $0.84 million (-46%) Average per theater: $1,180 Cume: $53.7 million
(19)American Beauty/DreamWorks: Theaters: 791 (-339) Gross: $0.73 million (-46%) Average per theater: $923 Cume: $128.2 million
(20)Where the Money Is/USA Films: Theaters: 456 (-1,079) Gross: $0.3 million (-76%) Average per theater: $650 Cume: $5.4 million
(21)East Is East/Miramax: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(22)The Virgin Suicides/Paramount Classics: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(23)TIME CODE/Sony/Screen Gems: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(24)THE BIG KAHUNA/Lions Gate: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(25)Joe Gould's Secret/USA Films: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(26)COMMITTED/Miramax: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(27)THE IDIOTS/USA Films: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)

Universal launched "U-571" to over $20 million, sinking its Easter Weekend box office competition.
Hollywood had anticipated big action from the PG-13 World War II submarine drama given its 17% first-choice tracking score going into the weekend.
"U-571" sailed full speed ahead into 2,583 theaters with a killer ESTIMATED $20.28 million ($7,850 per theater). Its per theater average was the highest for any film playing in wide release this weekend.
Directed by Jonathan Mostow, "U-571" stars Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel and Jon Bon Jovi.
"This is a tremendous opening for a film of its nature," Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco said Sunday morning. "It's the biggest submarine film (opening ever). It's bigger than 'Crimson Tide.' It's bigger than 'Hunt For Red October.' Jonathan Mostow is a very talented director, who was able to give audiences a thrill ride. The exit polls were all outstanding, indicating that audiences are going to embrace this film for weeks to come."
New Line's kick off of "Love &amp; Basketball" was a high-scoring number two with a winning ESTIMATED $8.38 million at 1,237 theaters ($6,770 per theater).
The PG-13 rated drama is targeted to under-25 African-Americans.
Written and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, it stars Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan.
Referring to last week's 15% first-choice tracking scores, which had suggested an even stronger opening, New Line distribution head David Tuckerman said Sunday morning, "Before all this started with the tracking, we thought we'd be between $8-9 million. The tracking got us hyped up.
"Also, almost everybody's down from Friday to Saturday. We should have a big Sunday. Traditionally, African-Americans like to go to the movies on Sunday."
Facing direct competition from "U-571" for adult male moviegoers, Paramount's R rated military trial drama "Rules of Engagement" fell two notches in its third week but held its own very well with an ESTIMATED $8.0 million (-27%) at 3,220 theaters (+30 theaters; $2,484 per theater). Its cume is approximately $43.0 million.
Directed by William Friedkin, it stars Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L Jackson.
"Frankly, I thought we'd be down a minimum of 35%," Paramount distribution president Wayne Lewellen said Sunday morning. "Our mid-weeks last week were exceptionally strong. So I think we're (heading for) $60-65 million."
Columbia's PG-13 rated dramatic comedy "28 Days" skidded two rungs to fourth place in its second week, holding nicely with an ESTIMATED $7.4 million (-28%) at 2,523 theaters (theater count unchanged; $2,933 per theater). Its cume is approximately $22.2 million.
Directed by Betty Thomas, "Days" stars Sandra Bullock and Viggo Mortensen.
"I think down 28% is a nice drop," Sony Pictures releasing president Jeff Blake said Sunday morning. "Probably, we'll have over $25 million in by the end of the second week. So certainly it seems on course to do over $40 million. That'll make us some money. We'll be a little ahead of our production costs. I think Sandra Bullock really remains very reliable (as a star whose movies audiences want to see)."
Buena Vista/Touchstone's PG-13 rated romantic comedy "Keeping the Faith" dipped two slots to fifth place in its second week, holding strongly with an ESTIMATED $7.3 million (-10%) at 2,158 theaters (+6 theaters; $3,386 per theatre). Its cume is approximately $18.7 million.
Directed by Edward Norton, it stars Ben Stiller, Jenna Elfman and Norton.
Universal's "Erin Brockovich" fell one notch to sixth place in its sixth weekend, still holding nicely with an ESTIMATED $5.55 million (-21%) at 3,056 theaters (-14 theaters; $1,815 per theater). Its cume is approximately $107.4 million.
The R rated dramatic comedy was co-financed by Universal, which is distributing it domestically, and by Columbia, which is releasing it internationally. The two studios are 50-50 partners in the picture.
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, it stars Julia Roberts, Albert Finney and Aaron Eckart.
DreamWorks' PG rated animated comedy "The Road To El Dorado" dropped two rungs in its fourth week to seventh place with a still colorful ESTIMATED $5.1 million (-17%) at 3,170 theaters (-53 theaters; $1,609 per theater). Its cume is approximately $41.8 million.
Directed by Eric "Bibo" Bergeron and Don Paul, it features the voices of Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Rosie Perez, Armand Assante and Edward James Olmos.
MGM's PG rated romantic comedy "Return to Me" slid two slots in its third week to eighth place with a quiet ESTIMATED $3.8 million (-24%) at 2,320 theaters (theater count unchanged; $1,640 per theater). Its cume is approximately $21.0 million.
Directed by Bonnie Hunt, "Return" cost only about $24 million to make. It stars David Duchovny and Minnie Driver.
Universal's PG-13 rated thriller "The Skulls" slipped one notch to ninth place in its fourth week with a slow ESTIMATED $2.83 million (-30%) at 2,047 theaters (-362 theaters; $1,380 per theater). Its cume is approximately $30.4 million.
Directed by Rob Cohen, it stars Joshua Jackson and Paul Walker.
Rounding out the Top Ten was New Line's R rated suspense thriller "Final Destination," down one peg in its sixth weekend and holding well with an ESTIMATED $2.78 million (-9%) at 1,305 theaters (-204 theaters; $2,126 per theater). Its cume is approximately $42.8 million.
Directed by James Wong, it stars Devon Sawa.
OTHER OPENINGS
Last weekend also saw the arrival of Warner Bros.' R rated youth appeal drama "Gossip" with little to talk about in 12th place with a disappointing ESTIMATED $2.34 million at 1,525 theaters ($1,534 per theater).
Directed by Davis Guggenheim, it stars James Marsden, Lena Headey, Norman Reedus, Kate Hudson, Marisa Coughlan and Joshua Jackson.
Paramount Classics' R rated drama about teen suicide, "The Virgin Suicides" went into limited release, placing 20th with a sexy ESTIMATED $0.24 million at 18 theaters ($13,460 per theater).
Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, it stars James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett.
SNEAK PREVIEWS
Saturday night saw two rounds of national sneak previews. New Line held 1,200 sneaks of its PG-13 rated time travel thriller "Frequency." It was the film's second set of Saturday sneaks, following 800 well-attended showings one week earlier.
"They were better than last week. We're trying to figure out exactly how much better," New Line distribution head David Tuckerman said. "My fax broke down this morning and (with the opening of 'Love &amp; Basketball') that's why I'm running so late."
Directed by Gregory Hoblit, it stars Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel.
"Frequency" opens Apr. 28 at about 2,500 theaters.
There also were Saturday night sneaks of 20th Century Fox's comedy drama "Where the Heart Is." No details were available Sunday morning.
Directed by Matt Williams, it stars Natalie Portman, Ashley Judd, Stockard Channing and Joan Cusack.
"Heart" opens wide Apr. 28.
EXPANSIONS
On the expansion front, Miramax's R rated comedy "East Is East" went wider in its second week, placing 21st with an encouraging ESTIMATED $0.22 million at 18 theaters (+14 theaters; $12,111 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.3 million.
Produced by Leslee Udwin and directed by Damien O'Donnell, "East" stars Om Puri and Linda Bassett.
"It will go into about 35 runs next Friday," Miramax senior vice president, marketing, David Kaminow said Sunday morning.
USA Films went wider with its R rated drama "Joe Gould's Secret," placing 22nd in its third week with a slow ESTIMATED $0.089 million at 26 theaters (+10 theaters; $3,430 per theater). Its cume is approximately $0.3 millio .
Directed by Stanley Tucci, it stars Ian Holm and Stanley Tucci.
WEEKEND COMPARISONS
Key films -- those grossing more than $500,000 for the weekend -- took in approximately $84.41 million, up about 47.49% from the comparable weekend last year when key films grossed $57.23 million.
This weekend's key film gross was up about 10.67% from this year's previous weekend, when key films grossed $76.27 million.
Last year, Warner Bros.' fourth week of "The Matrix" was first with $12.64 million at 2,903 theaters ($4,355 per theater); and Universal's second week of "Life" was second with $11.26 million at 2,597 theaters ($4,335 per theater). The top two films one year ago grossed $23.9 million. This year, the top two films grossed an ESTIMATED $28.6 million.
STUDIO MARKET SHARES
Based on business by key films (those grossing $500,000 or more), last weekend's top six distributors were:
Universal was first with three films ("U-571," "Erin Brockovich" and "The Skulls"), grossing an ESTIMATED $28.65 million or 33.9% of the market.
Buena Vista (Disney, Touchstone) was second with three films ("Keeping the Faith," "High Fidelity" and "Fantasia 2000"), grossing an ESTIMATED $11.60 million or 13.7% of the market.
New Line was third with two films ("Love &amp; Basketball" and "Final Destination"), grossing an ESTIMATED $11.15 million or 13.2% of the market.
Paramount was fourth with one film ("Rules of Engagement"), grossing an ESTIMATED $8.00 million or 9.5% of the market.
Sony Pictures Releasing (Columbia, TriStar, Screen Gems) was fifth with one film ("28 Days"), grossing an ESTIMATED $7.40 million or 8.8% of the market.
DreamWorks was sixth with two films ("The Road To El Dorado" and "American Beauty"), grossing an ESTIMATED $6.50 million or 7.7% of the market.
ADDITIONAL ESTIMATES
(11)American Psycho/Lions Gate: Theaters: 1,242 (+5) Gross: $2.7 million (-45%) Average per theater: $2,176 Cume: $9.7 million
(12)Gossip/Warner Bros.: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(13)High Fidelity/BV/Touchstone: Theaters: 1,231 (+2) Gross: $2.3 million (-14%) Average per theater: $1,869 Cume: $21.2 million
(14)Fantasia 2000/BV/Disney: Theaters: 53 (-1) (all IMAX) Gross: $2.0 million (+36%) Average per theater: $38,632 Cume: $45.9 million (domestic)
(15)Romeo Must Die/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 1,439 (-385) Gross: $1.42 million (-47%) Average per theater: $983 Cume: $52.2 million
(16)American Beauty/DreamWorks: Theaters: 1,130 (-337) Gross: $1.4 million (-30%) Average per theater: $1,239 Cume: $127.0 million
(17)Where the Money Is/USA Films: Theaters: 1,538 (0) Gross: $1.33 million (-47%) Average per theater: $865 Cume: $4.7 million
(18) Ready to Rumble/Warner Bros.: Theaters: 1,672 (-913) Gross: $1.01 million (-63%) Average per theater: $601 Cume: $11.3 million
(19)My Dog Skip/Warner Bros./Alcon Ent.: Theaters: 937 (-86) Gross: $0.59 million (+3%) Average per theater: $630 Cume: $32.4 million
(20)Mission to Mars/BV/Touchstone: Theaters: 508 (-254) Gross: $0.4 million (-40%) Average per theater: $795 Cume: $58.8 million
(21)THE VIRGIN SUICIDES/Paramount Classics: (see OTHER OPENINGS above)
(22)East Is East/Miramax: (see EXPANSIONS above)
(23)Joe Gould's Secret/USA Films: (see EXPANSIONS above)

Cast as a single, workaholic attorney in the CBS sitcom, "Courting Alex"

Co-starred with Matthew McConaughey in the Ron Howard-directed, "EDtv"

Began dancing at age five

Made feature film debut in "Grosse Point Blank"

Cast in the CBS sitcom, "Accidentally on Purpose"

Acted on stage opposite Miguel Ferrer in "Visions and Lovers"; directed by Katselas

Guest-starred on two episodes of "Two and a Half Men," playing a woman who comes between Charlie and Alan

Made regular series debut in the short-lived ABC sitcom, "Townies"

Danced in music videos, including one for a Depeche Mode song

Summary

An ebullient performer who earned fame with her role as a buoyant free-spirit on the popular sitcom "Dharma & Greg" (ABC, 1997-2002), actress Jenna Elfman broke through as a stand out cast member of the failed sitcom, "Townies" (ABC, 1996). A professional dancer who made the switch to acting in the early 1990s, Elfman made immediate strides on the small screen, landing guest starring roles on both dramas and sitcoms, including "Roseanne" (ABC, 1988-1997) and "NYPD Blue" (ABC, 1993-2005) before landing her first regular gig with "Townies." Though "Townies" was only on the air a short time, network executives were duly impressed with Elfman's talents and signed her to an exclusive deal to develop her own series. The result was "Dharma & Greg," which managed to stay on for five seasons while earning the actress three consecutive Emmy Award nominations. Once the show was canceled, however, Elfman's career hit a brief rough patch that included starring in the failed sitcom, "Courting Alex" (CBS, 2006), while publicly embarrassing herself after a heated argument with a Scientology critic that ignited a brief, but white-hot media firestorm. But Elfman continued to persevere, regaining her presence as a charming sitcom actress who was often the best thing about an otherwise unremarkable show.

Name

Role

Comments

Richard Butala

Father

Worked for Hughes Aircraft

Susan Butala

Mother

Rick Butala

Brother

Born in March 1961

Debbie Butala

Sister

Born in December 1957

Tony Butala

Uncle

Member of the popular 1960s male group The Letterman

Bodhi Elfman

Husband

Son of director Richard Elfman and nephew of composer Danny Elfman; met at a Sprite commercial audition in 1991; married in 1995

Easton Elfman

Son

Born March 2, 2010; father, Bodhi Elfman

Story Elfman

Son

Born July 23, 2007; father, Bodhi Elfman

Education

Name

Beverly Hills Playhouse

Los Angeles County High School for the Performing Arts

California State University, Northridge

Notes

"She's an honest actress and truly funny. She doesn't have to act funny; she instinctively knows where the humor is." - Chuck Lorre, producer of "Dharma & Greg" to Electronic Media, June 30, 1997

"There's a lot of myself in the character - her freeness, her playfulness. Dharma does say things in front of people that I wouldn't, things that are inappropriate to her surroundings. But a lot of comedy comes out of those scenarios. I feel that it comes off the screen how much fun I'm having." - Elfman in Electronic Media, June 30, 1997

"I think I'm good at being me and not worrying about how I come off. I'm pretty comfortable with who I am." - Elfman quoted in the Daily News, July 23, 1997

"What I love about acting is that you can safely and securely get out of your system all those retarded things you've ever done in your life." - Elfman quoted in the Daily News, Feb. 19, 1998

"I'm still a novice at this fame stuff. If someone is staring at me I immediately start thinking 'Do I have a booger?'" - Elfman to the Chicago Sun-Times, Feb. 22, 1998

On fame: "People in this business put so much weight and significance into it. And then you meet these big stars and you realize they're all idiots. I've found that big, famous people are like idiot dorks. If I know one thing, it's that everyone has their insecurities." - Elfman quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times, March 7, 1999

Elfman on her biggest frustration: "I want people to start offering me some big dramatic parts. Sometimes people get locked in this spunky girl thing, like I do every week. I want the opportunity to do other things too." - quoted in Time Out New York, March 18-25, 1999

"She's a ray of sunshine. I know that sounds corny, but she just lights up a room with her joy." - "Dharma & Greg" co-creator Chuck Lorre on Elfman, quoted in Biography magazine, May 1999